A DRUG addict dubbed Burnley's worst street nuisance has been given an Anti-social Behaviour Order that bans him from town centre shops.

Jobless ex-convict Adrian Wilkinson, 23, was given the two-year order after police said he wanders the town in a drug-induced state, begging and stealing.

Wilkinson, who was also given a 12-month drug treatment and testing order at Burnley Magistrates' Court yesterday, was told he faces up to five years in jail if he flouts the order.

Speaking after the case, Wilkinson claimed the ASBO was unnecessary. He will not allowed in any shop or store in Burnley as defined by the inner ring road, is prohibited from committing any thefts in England and Wales and is banned from begging for money.

He is also prohibited from using behaviour likely to cause alarm or distress in Burnley and from inciting any other person to commit an offence.

The defendant, of Reed Street, received the orders after admitting stealing training shoes from T J Hughes, in Burnley. Magistrates were told how town centre wardens watching him found he was involved in a catalogue of almost 60 incidents in six weeks between February and April. Several complaints were made by members of the public.

Wilkinson has offended while on bail, served custodial sentences and has previous convictions for theft, public order and burglary offences.

Mercedah Jabbari, prosecuting, told the bench the ASB0 was needed to protect the public.

And Graeme Tindall, defending, said it was conceded by Wilkinson his behaviour was down to drug misuse and the order would hopefully help him to stop committing crime.

But Wilkinson afterwards said he wasn't a nuisance and alleged he was the "number one target" for police.

He said: "I am not the worst person in Burnley. There are people who are more prolific than me. The police have just got it in for me."